War, Peace, and Love (Naruto Fan Fiction)

Transformation

Kakashi's eyes fluttered open, and he found himself lying on a makeshift bed on the floor of Tazuna's house. Tsunami, Tazuna's daughter, stood nearby with her hands on her hips, looking down at him. She didn't seem too pleased with his presence.

"How are you feeling, Kakashi?" she asked, her tone a mix of concern and annoyance.

"Not well, but I will be in about a week," Kakashi replied, his voice weak but composed.

Sakura, sitting next to Kakashi, couldn't help but voice her concern. "The Sharingan eye is an incredible power, but doesn't the strain it puts on your body make you wonder if it's worth it?"

Tazuna, who had been wiping the sweat from his face, chimed in, trying to lighten the mood. "This time, you took down your strongest foe yet. So we can probably relax for a while, thanks to you."

Sakura's thoughts were still on the masked boy who had intervened. "I can't get my mind off that masked kid," she confessed.

Ella nodded in agreement. "His scent was off, too similar to that of Zabuza."

Kakashi began to explain the mysterious boy with the mask. "That mask is worn by the most elite and secret ninja from the Hidden Mist Village. The shinobi hunters all wear them. Their unit code name is 'Undertaker Squad,' because they dispose of the corpses so thoroughly, it's as though they never existed."

Ella posed a question, trying to unravel the mystery further. "So, that kid is going to destroy each piece of his body?"

Kakashi affirmed her assumption. "That's correct, Ella. That's how each of them were trained."

Sakura couldn't help but find it eerie. "That sounds creepy."

A couple of hours later, Kakashi's eyes suddenly shot open, and a powerful surge of chakra emanated from him. Naruto and Sakura were taken aback and were sent flying back in surprise. Ella observed the scene with a curious smile.

"Oh, Kakashi," Tsunami scolded lightly as she entered the room. "Are you awake?"

Sakura chastised Naruto for his clumsiness, while Kakashi sat up, holding his head and staring off into space. Naruto, ever curious, asked Kakashi what was on his mind.

"Hmm... What's up, Sensei?"

Kakashi began to explain. "Hmm. Of course."

Ella, perceptive as always, couldn't help but connect the dots. "Is it about the boy?"

Kakashi acknowledged her insight. "Yes, actually. The shinobi hunters who manage corpse disposals are supposed to destroy the bodies of those they kill on the spot."

Ella's eyes widened with realization. "I knew it... I knew their scent smelled too similar."

Sakura, growing impatient, shook her head at Ella. "Don't you think that's enough? We heard you the first time you brought it up."

Kakashi couldn't help but feel frustrated by Sakura's dismissal. "Don't you get it? How did the masked kid dispose of Zabuza's corpse?"

Sakura, now more attentive, replied, "How should we know? He took the body with him."

Kakashi elaborated, his voice tinged with concern. "Yes, he did. Even though all he needed to take home as proof he killed him was his head. And then there's the mystery surrounding the weapons that the hunter nin used to dispatch his prey."

Sasuke's disbelief was evident as he muttered, "No way," his eyes widening slightly in shock.

Kakashi clarified the situation with a tone of seriousness, running his hand through his hair. "Yes way."